Stephen John Harris (16 August 1948 – 11 January 2008) was an English jazz drummer and composer.

Born in Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, he took up drums at the age of 14 and was soon playing in pop and soul bands.[1] In the late 1960s he was a member of the progressive rock band Woody Kern who recorded on Pye Records.[2]

From 1987 onwards, Harris was a member of the Nottingham-based band Pinski Zoo, who blended free jazz with funk.[3]

In 2001 he formed the group Zaum,[1] named after the Russian Futurist concept Zaum. Their 2004 recording Above Our Heads the Sky Splits Open [4] is highly regarded, achieving a 5-star rating in The Penguin Guide to Jazz.[2] Zaum's final recording before his death was the octet record "I hope you never love anything as much as I love you".[5]

Harris died on 11 January 2008 in Dorchester, Dorset.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Fordham, John; Somogyi, Dan (6 March 2008). "Steve Harris: Creative jazz drummer and educator who achieved cult status". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  2. 1 2 Morton, Brian (26 April 2008). "Steve Harris: Improvising jazz percussionist". The Independent. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  3. May, Chris (5 August 2006). "CD/LP Review: After Image". All About Jazz. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  4. "Above Our Heads the Sky Splits Open". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
  5. Gottschalk, Kurt (2 May 2008). "CD/LP Review: I hope you never love anything as much as I love you". All About Jazz. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
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